I think that folks worry about asking Optometrists about refractive surgeries - including LASIK.

What if the doctor thinks this is voodoo? What if the doctor is threatened or insulted somehow by the question? What if - I the patient - don't like the doctors answer/opinion of LASIK?!

If you have these thoughts or are just interested in exploring whether you would be a good candidate for LASIK... please we'd love to talk to you. In a no-stress, relaxed conversation we can explore if you would benefit from LASIK. What are the limitations? How long does it last? What are the risks? What are the real, true costs? Does it hurt? How long am I off work? When can I work-out? When can I swim after surgery? Can I fly after surgery? We have heard it all!

We have helped thousands of patients navigate the PRE and POST care of their refractive procedures with real answers and confidence.

Dr. Morris is your advocate with surgery centers and his experience will help guide your successful eye surgery.

When we use a computer or phone for a long period of time, many of us experience digital eye strain. There are several reasons why this occurs including: posture, long periods of sustained focus, back-lit screens, improper glasses, eye muscle imbalance (see Digital Device Dilemma below). The fact that we blink significantly less when our attention is focused on a screen also significantly contributes to eye irritation, blurry vision and fatigue.

If you suffer from digital eye strain, one of the most impactful things that you can do is use a rewetting eye drop (such as Thealoz®) at least twice a day and see your Optometrist.

We awake to the glow of a phone acting as an alarm clock. We work for hours on our computer screens, perhaps stopping to look at something on another screen—a television, a tablet, a smartphone. The pattern is repeated again and again as our days are filled with electronic images of news reports, online shopping, video games, movies, emails and texts….

This constant exposure to technology is a shock to our eyes. For centuries, we have evolved our sight by viewing a wide variety of objects outside from varying distances. A combination of factors including the proximity at which we view digital screens, the frequency and length of time of this use, physical responses to screen habits, and exposure to high-energy visible (HEV) or blue light, have conspired to cause visual discomfort in 65 percent of Americans. 1 This stress and strain, combined with other physical discomforts, is called digital eye strain. READ MORE

To live our practice’s mission and create a complete, informative and a distinct eye care experience for you, when applicable our exams include a personalized DRY EYE assessment form to deliver better awareness of your own DRY EYE status as well as create clarity around the best course of individualized treatment for your condition.

The information on our forms is based on current studies, knowledge and practice. It is a personalized plan for you to have the best treatment, timely referrals and follow-up care. This DRY EYE assessment form has been modified to deliver some general information online.

The condition name 'DRY EYE' is inherently confusing as many people with 'Dry Eyes' excessively tear. I like to say that Dry Eye refers more to an imbalance in the tear chemistry. That thin film over your eyes is quite a complex recipe and if that is not produced by your body properly, unstable vision and discomfort and sometimes permanent damage to the ocular tissue can ensue.

For the purposes of mapping a treatment plan and communicating status, I break down DRY EYE into two main forms [1] suspected lipid deficiency [2] suspected aqueous deficiency Note that these can occur concurrently and are listed as ‘suspected’ as they are sometimes hard to distinguish clinically but are treated differently.

Management options for progressing severity for both forms of dry eye will be highlighted below. If not treated, eyes that are chronically dry progress to having DRY EYE DISEASE. This is an inflammatory condition that generally requires prescription drops or oral medications to manage. Advancing Dry Eye Disease is not only uncomfortable but can cause unstable vision and irreparable damage to ocular tissue.

Four recommendations for both forms of Dry Eye [1] Hydration – drink lots of water! [2] Humidity – consider a humidifier in house or work environment for winter [2] VDT use – try to take breaks of 5 min each hour and instill rewetting drops [3] Make-Up – consider hypoallergenic make-up and be sure not to line eye lid margins

How do I know what form of Dry Eye that I have?

The BEST way is an eye exam! Special dyes and tests are used to identify your type of dry eye (AQUEOUS vs. LIPID Deficiency) and the best treatment course. If this this is not possible, start with recommendations on LIPID deficiency based dry eye as it is much more common.

Recommendations based on a Lipid Deficiency Dry Eye (MOST common)

The goal of treating lipid deficiency dry eye is to reduce the evaporation of tears from the ocular surface as low moisture causes irritation and damage to the ocular tissue.

Recommendations based on current accepted care protocol.

LEVEL ONE: Use non-preserved rewetting drops designed for Lipid Deficiency Recommended 2-6 times per day Option 1 - Hyabak® available through our office and online (filtered bottle) Option 2 – non-preserved Optive Fusion or Optive Advanced - available through any pharmacy – individual use

LEVEL TWO: All level ONE recommendations but to an enhanced vigilance also add [1] 5-10min of Bruder Mask (or warm compress) at bedtime, [2] Omega 3’s (ideally of Trigyceride form) 1000mg/day to 2000mg/day (note that Omega 3 is not to be used with Coumadin or other Rx blood thinners)